Pro Supex Blue Gear definitely favourite setup so far. i've always loved this string for the spin. and it lasts too- very little loss of playability or tension. had both my frames strung with full Blue Gear, and it lasts me 10+ hours. i'd say around the 1.5 to 2 week mark, my one string job broke. the other one is still kicking. i have no problems playing with this string until it breaks.
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Awesome to hear, I still have the vast majority of a reel of PSBG 17g, it will be my next setup even though I am currently loving the Wilson Spin Cycle.

Sure, rnrd001!Volkl Cyclone neon yellow 17g- 6-7 hours, and felt great for the full time until the strings broke. Cyclone 16 would def be considered in the future.Solinco TB 17g- One of my frames came strung with this, so didn't get much out of it. Had one hit in the rain, and then the second day it was already really mushy. So not the most accurate assessment of string longevityMSV Hex 1.18 black- only kept this in my frames for 2 hitting sessions because i was still searching for my next spin high. could have kept it in for another 1-2 sessions, i'd say.Lux BBO 15L 1.38- played 8-10 hours with this one, and it could have stayed in longer, but decided to cut it out to try to get more bite from a thinner gauge.Blue Gear 16g/ Polylon 16g black- hit for two hitting sessions with this, and the playability held up. so around 4 hours with this. this however, was the first setup I tried after getting the frames, and was too excited to try other setups. hence the reason this one only stayed in for 4 hours.Gosen Polylon Black 16g this was my first setup post Lux BBO 1.38, i was looking for more bite and control than the Lux had. It definitely felt great for about 45 minutes, then the playability dropped off (as it does with this string). i only used this for the one day after the tension dropped. also could have been slight user error for the reason this didn't play well. the hit that I used it in was a 6am hit that I scheduled the morning after a weekend tournament. so legs were not feeling quite so fresh.Dunlop Explosive 16g- chose to only keep this setup in for one day. i prefer textured strings, and this was just a quick experiment. so since i got better results from my other frame that had textured strings in it, i just cut this one out. Genesis Heptonic 1.14/ Prince Beast- this one felt good at the start, but definitely dropped off quickly. such a thin gauge in the main strings just meant really short string life. felt bad cutting this one out after 3 hours, because the Beast could have lasted longer.Wilson Enduro Pro 17g- this was the string in the demo model, when i first tried it and fell in love with it. the first hit, it seemed almost fresh off the stringer. then demoed again the following morning after loving it, and still got great playability from the setup. but the strings started having gaping holes where the mains would move so much. so all in all i got 3.5 hours in with the demo, but the last hour and a half, the strings still played well, but i was constantly adjusting for the huge amount of movement. Pro Supex Blue Gear definitely favourite setup so far. i've always loved this string for the spin. and it lasts too- very little loss of playability or tension. had both my frames strung with full Blue Gear, and it lasts me 10+ hours. i'd say around the 1.5 to 2 week mark, my one string job broke. the other one is still kicking. i have no problems playing with this string until it breaks.

Hope that helps! What setups have you tried so far?

Hey JackB1, There really hasn't been any reason why I haven't tried 4GS. I have so much string at the moment that I haven't felt inclined to get a set of it yet. On a side note, when I tried 4g, I immediately felt it was kind of like BBO 2.0. I got very similar results to what I get with BBO albeit with a more comfortable response. So since I have a reel of BBO 1.38 15L, I just figured playability would be similar.

As far as my style of play, I do hit alot of spin from the back especially when rallying. I typically like to mix up the play with spins, ball speed, angles, and net approaches. I also mix my grips up, and vary my grip based on what shot I plan to hit. But this frame definitely rewards extreme grips and fast swing speeds, so it is hard not to keep the grip extreme the whole time.

Nice one, auzzie. Good info there, and how interesting to hear about Blue Gear. Haven't played that in a number of years. I certainly do recall the amazing spin and good pop it displayed when I investigated it in a C10 Pro. That it's lasting you that long is noteworthy. My initial thought though was does the 99s actually need a string that's going to give it a major spin boost LOL?! Anyhow, yes, Blue Gear... hmm, maybe I'll revisit this one of these days soon.

thanks. That definitely helps explain why it has been so succesful for you.
Good luck with it!

Thanks! Couldn't be happier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by racertempo

Awesome to hear, I still have the vast majority of a reel of PSBG 17g, it will be my next setup even though I am currently loving the Wilson Spin Cycle.

Yeah give it a shot! I have to admit, I always preferred the 16 gauge of BG as I feel the ridges are more pronounced.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross K

Nice one, auzzie. Good info there, and how interesting to hear about Blue Gear. Haven't played that in a number of years. I certainly do recall the amazing spin and good pop it displayed when I investigated it in a C10 Pro. That it's lasting you that long is noteworthy. My initial thought though was does the 99s actually need a string that's going to give it a major spin boost LOL?! Anyhow, yes, Blue Gear... hmm, maybe I'll revisit this one of these days soon.

The frame (and string pattern) DEFINITELY does not need extra spin. And of course you can use almost any string (at least all the ones that I have tried), and still get massive spin. I think for me it boils down to a comfort level. I know the string. I know it lasts, and that through the life of the string, I get the same super spinny response and great tension maintenance. There's no way around it, the 99s goes through strings ALOT quicker than most other frames (even compared to my Pro RD 70s which are 16x17 patterns). So for me it is nice to know that every time I pull the frame out of the bag, the setup is going to perform consistently.

Sure, rnrd001!Volkl Cyclone neon yellow 17g- 6-7 hours, and felt great for the full time until the strings broke. Cyclone 16 would def be considered in the future.Solinco TB 17g- One of my frames came strung with this, so didn't get much out of it. Had one hit in the rain, and then the second day it was already really mushy. So not the most accurate assessment of string longevityMSV Hex 1.18 black- only kept this in my frames for 2 hitting sessions because i was still searching for my next spin high. could have kept it in for another 1-2 sessions, i'd say.Lux BBO 15L 1.38- played 8-10 hours with this one, and it could have stayed in longer, but decided to cut it out to try to get more bite from a thinner gauge.Blue Gear 16g/ Polylon 16g black- hit for two hitting sessions with this, and the playability held up. so around 4 hours with this. this however, was the first setup I tried after getting the frames, and was too excited to try other setups. hence the reason this one only stayed in for 4 hours.Gosen Polylon Black 16g this was my first setup post Lux BBO 1.38, i was looking for more bite and control than the Lux had. It definitely felt great for about 45 minutes, then the playability dropped off (as it does with this string). i only used this for the one day after the tension dropped. also could have been slight user error for the reason this didn't play well. the hit that I used it in was a 6am hit that I scheduled the morning after a weekend tournament. so legs were not feeling quite so fresh.Dunlop Explosive 16g- chose to only keep this setup in for one day. i prefer textured strings, and this was just a quick experiment. so since i got better results from my other frame that had textured strings in it, i just cut this one out. Genesis Heptonic 1.14/ Prince Beast- this one felt good at the start, but definitely dropped off quickly. such a thin gauge in the main strings just meant really short string life. felt bad cutting this one out after 3 hours, because the Beast could have lasted longer.Wilson Enduro Pro 17g- this was the string in the demo model, when i first tried it and fell in love with it. the first hit, it seemed almost fresh off the stringer. then demoed again the following morning after loving it, and still got great playability from the setup. but the strings started having gaping holes where the mains would move so much. so all in all i got 3.5 hours in with the demo, but the last hour and a half, the strings still played well, but i was constantly adjusting for the huge amount of movement. Pro Supex Blue Gear definitely favourite setup so far. i've always loved this string for the spin. and it lasts too- very little loss of playability or tension. had both my frames strung with full Blue Gear, and it lasts me 10+ hours. i'd say around the 1.5 to 2 week mark, my one string job broke. the other one is still kicking. i have no problems playing with this string until it breaks.

Hope that helps! What setups have you tried so far?
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very interesing stuff, thanks for posting this.
So far, I have only tested BBO 1.38 and Luxilon Savage 1.27.

I got 9 hours out of the BBO 1.38 so, pretty much same durabilty as you experienced. The savage was already strung on the demo version of the 99s I tried so I want to test it again because I really liked the feeling.

My two next set ups will be Savage 1.27 at 24 kg and RPM Team 1.30 both at 24kg.

auzzie......why did u never try the recommended string for the 99S...Lux 4GS? just curious why that one was omitted?

also.....what style of game do you like to play? Do you hit with an extreme grip and use lots of loopy spin?

Just an FYI, I grew up playing with wood and consider an Eastern FH/BH grip extreme. I've been told I hit with a ton of spin (but don't think so when I play a youngster who uses the Hawaiian grip). I am getting a ton more spin on my forehand and backhand. I also find that this frame really encourages a faster swing by rewarding same with results. The frame is also super comfortable with a full poly bed. All these things in combination lead to more power and consistency off the ground for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackB1

This racquet really requires a 16 guage at a minimum. It's no wonder you are getting no string life out of 18 and 17 guages.

I think the gauge again is dependent on the user. I began looking at thicker gauges after reading on here and stringing for a 5.0 friend of mine. He was going through string, 16L (1.27) every two sets. I worked a deal with him since I have a plethora of the string he loves. He doesn't tell me how to string and I'll take care of him for a set fee/month.

What this meant was he didn't need to keep any notions about tension. I had talked to Drakulie and he advised me to drop his tension. My friend and I went out to hit and I asked him to try one of my 99S's. Unbeknownst to him, it was strung at 47/44. I asked him if he felt any difference and he replied "No". His normal tension was 58.

I've got him down to 53 now and asked him about durability. He hadn't thought about it until I asked. He said he was getting another set out of it. My plan now is to lower his tension, 2-3 pounds a time, until he says something.

I think the gauge again is dependent on the user. I began looking at thicker gauges after reading on here and stringing for a 5.0 friend of mine. He was going through string, 16L (1.27) every two sets. I worked a deal with him since I have a plethora of the string he loves. He doesn't tell me how to string and I'll take care of him for a set fee/month.

What this meant was he didn't need to keep any notions about tension. I had talked to Drakulie and he advised me to drop his tension. My friend and I went out to hit and I asked him to try one of my 99S's. Unbeknownst to him, it was strung at 47/44. I asked him if he felt any difference and he replied "No". His normal tension was 58.

I've got him down to 53 now and asked him about durability. He hadn't thought about it until I asked. He said he was getting another set out of it. My plan now is to lower his tension, 2-3 pounds a time, until he says something.

For all you spinheads out there, have you checked out Golden Set's "Snake Bite"? Truly one of the spinniest strings I've used. It's a bit on the softer side for a poly, but I could see some awesome useage in the 99s.

99s V J100... anyone have thoughts/experiences of how these two compare?

Personally speaking, having just revisited the J100, I'm beginning to see similarities in these two, especially in the easy swinging, in the particular feel, in the serve, and in the power. Like them both. Juice seems more leaning towards APD/PD, whereas for me 99s leans a tad more upwards into player's stick terrain.

99s V J100... anyone have thoughts/experiences of how these two compare?

Personally speaking, having just revisited the J100, I'm beginning to see similarities in these two, especially in the easy swinging, in the particular feel, in the serve, and in the power. Like them both. Juice seems more leaning towards APD/PD, whereas for me 99s leans a tad more upwards into player's stick terrain.

Anyone else hit with both care to share their thoughts?

Ross, you know I hit with both like you. I also found them VERY similar...especially when spome weight is added to the hoop of the Juice...otherwise the Juice's sw is much lower than the 99s. I thought
the 99s had a more solid impact feel. I don't think the 99s is more of a "players" stick though. I would put them both in exactly the same category. Did you keep your Juice?

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Ross, you know I hit with both like you. I also found them VERY similar...especially when spome weight is added to the hoop of the Juice...otherwise the Juice's sw is much lower than the 99s. I thought
the 99s had a more solid impact feel. I don't think the 99s is more of a "players" stick though. I would put them both in exactly the same category. Did you keep your Juice?

Yes - in part inspired by your diary post yesterday - played a set today with the J100, and with some success (see diary.)

For sure, SW is lower (I had 3 grams @ 3 and 9), 99s is a bit more solid. Nonetheless, interesting I thought, for those who like 99s. Anyhow, as ever, I need to play more with all these frames (Blades, 99s, J100), but after today it's back in the bag.